REFUGEE & IMMIGRANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Advocates for Human Rights is seeking a director of its Refugee and Immigrant Program. The Advocates for Human Rights is a volunteer-based, non-governmental, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights.

The Advocates for Human Rights provides free legal representation to low-income asylum seekers and immigration detainees in the Upper Midwest. Consistent with its mission of building the human rights movement by involving volunteers in human rights work, The Advocates recruits, trains, and supports a pro bono panel of over 300 attorneys handling asylum cases before the Asylum Office, Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, and Federal Courts of Appeal. The Advocates participates in the Minnesota Detention Project to ensure that all people detained in immigration court have access to counsel and provides leadership in local and national coalitions related to legal services and the protection of the human rights of non-citizens.

Qualifications include a J.D. and active attorney licensure in good standing with at least 5 years experience in immigration and asylum law; experience with fundraising and development; and experience with law office and pro bono management. Familiarity with the legal community, including the private bar and legal services, is desired. Understanding of international human rights law and fluency in a relevant foreign language a plus. Ability to work in a collaborative, nonprofit setting essential.

The program director serves on the management team of The Advocates for Human Rights, helping the organization make strategic, budgetary, fundraising, and operational decisions. Primary responsibilities include:

• Fundraising, including maintaining and developing relationships with foundations and individual donors, and managing all program grants;
• Program management and vision, including development and oversight of annual work plan and budget;
• Management and supervision of staff attorney, support staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Management of the asylum caseload, including the operations of the pro bono attorney panel and the case management of in-house cases;
• Provision of support to volunteer attorneys and direct client services including client intake and consultations, representation of detained people appearing before the immigration court, and full case representation of asylum seekers before the Asylum Office, Immigration Court, and Board of Immigration Appeals;
• Oversight of volunteer attorney training, including development of training materials for pro bono attorneys, including maintaining the asylum library of www.immigrationadvocates.org and the asylum practice area of www.probono.net;
• Represent The Advocates on appropriate bar association committees and working groups;
• Other duties as required.

TERMS: This is a full-time position with an excellent vacation plan and medical/dental insurance. This position reports to the Executive Director.

To apply, please mail cover letter and resume to:

Director Search
Refugee and Immigrant Program
The Advocates for Human Rights
330 2nd Avenue South, Suite 800
Minneapolis, MN 55401-2211

No e-mail applications accepted.
NO PHONE CALLS OR E-MAIL INQURIES PLEASE.

The Advocates is committed to cultural diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability or any other legally protected status.